BBC Video: President Buhari wants stricter laws to deal with sexual abuse in schools

President Muhammadu Buhari has joined the fray in the call for laws to deal with the menace of #SexForGrades scandals rocking schools, especially public universities. He has called for stricter laws to prevent girls from being abused in schools.

Recall that following a viral BBC Africa video showing lecturers of the Universities of Lagos and Ghana in alleged untoward behaviour to admission seekers and students, two lecturers each of both schools were suspended to allow for investigations.

In Nigeria, the Senate exhumed a bill the National Assembly passed but was not signed into law by President Buhari, for a review. The President on Friday indicated a willingness to sign a new bill if it meets constitutional requirements.

In a statement by one of his spokesmen, Mr. Garba Shehu, the President said he is glad that the incident, exposed through under-cover news reporting at the University of Lagos, has spurred an amendment to existing laws in the National Assembly.

President Buhari said such proposed amendments passed by the Legislature will get his support as long as they conform to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, according to the statement.

“The country must do more to address incidents of sexual violence, sexual abuses in our schools, discrimination, human trafficking and cultural practices that violate women’s rights,” said the President.

He urged law enforcement agencies and school administrators to take up such cases with every seriousness and ensure that perpetrators face the consequences of their actions.

“Survivors and their families must avoid cover up. They should be encouraged to come forth and report cases of abuses wherever and whenever they occur,” the President demanded.